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3 Ways to Remove Your Camera Background for Streams and Videos

Below are three reliable methods to remove your camera background on stream or in recordings. You’ll also learn how to add your own image or looped-video background, set up scenes in OBS Studio/Streamlabs/Meld Studio, and get clean results on both horizontal and vertical canvases.



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What you’ll need


  • PC or Mac with a webcam/camera.

  • Optional but recommended: good, even lighting (I use the Elgato Key Light).

  • Optional: a physical green screen (I use the Elgato Green Screen).

  • Background graphics or looped video (you can commission these on Fiverr).


Method 1: NVIDIA Broadcast (Windows + NVIDIA RTX 20-series or newer)


This gives the cleanest AI removal in most cases and works with OBS Studio, Streamlabs, Meld Studio, and TikTok Live Studio.


  1. Install and set up

    • Download and install NVIDIA Broadcast.

    • In Settings, enable “Launch on startup” if you’ll use it often.

  2. Configure video

    • Go to the Video tab and select your camera.

    • Under Virtual Background, choose “Remove background” and enable it.

    • Use the quality dropdown to set your camera resolution (e.g., 1080p or 4K).

    • Use the eye icon to preview: you should see yourself on a black background.

  3. Add it to your streaming software

    • Background first:

      • Add an Image (for stills) or Media Source (for video).

      • For video, tick Loop and mute the source if it has audio.

      • Fit to screen, then lock the source.

    • Camera second:

      • Add a Video Capture Device and select “NVIDIA Broadcast” as the camera.

      • Set resolution/FPS to match what you chose in NVIDIA Broadcast (e.g., 3840×2160 at 30fps).

      • Fit to screen (or scale/position as needed), then lock it.

  4. Screen-share layout (picture-in-picture)

    • Create a new scene.

    • Add a Display Capture as your background.

    • Add Existing → your NVIDIA Broadcast camera, then scale and place it in a corner.

    • Use arrow keys for pixel-perfect placement; lock when happy.


Note on TikTok Live Studio virtual cameras: some users need to go live several times before virtual cameras unlock. If you can’t see “NVIDIA Broadcast” as a camera yet, stream a few longer sessions and try again.


Method 2: TikTok Live Studio’s built-in background removal


Works without NVIDIA Broadcast and is rolling out on Mac as well.


  1. Add your camera source in Live Studio and open its Settings.

  2. Set camera resolution to at least 1080p.

  3. Go to Background → choose “Cutout”. Your background should disappear.

  4. Add a background image inside the same panel:

    • Choose from TikTok’s presets or pick Custom to upload your own image.

    • Crop if needed, then Apply.

  5. Want a looped video background instead?

    • Add a new Video source, browse to your file, tick Loop, and mute the audio.

    • Reorder your sources so the video sits under your camera. Lock both sources.


Tip: Avoid the “outline” effect unless you specifically want that stylised look.


Method 3: Real green screen (chroma key) in OBS Studio/Streamlabs/Meld Studio/Live Studio


Best when you want consistent results on lower-end GPUs or complex lighting.


  1. Set up the backdrop and lights

    • Use a taut, wrinkle-free green screen (I use the Elgato Green Screen).

    • Light it evenly. A key light facing you helps a lot (I use the Elgato Key Light).

    • Avoid strong shadows on the screen.

  2. Add and prepare your camera

    • Add a Video Capture Device and set the camera to its best mode (e.g., 1080p60).

    • Crop to the green area (in OBS: hold Alt and drag the edges).

  3. Apply the chroma key

    • Right-click your camera → Filters → add “Chroma Key”.

    • Start with Key Color Type = Green.

    • Adjust Similarity, Smoothness, and Key Color Spill Reduction until edges are clean.

      • Example values that often work: Similarity ~ 440, Smoothness ~ 70, Spill ~ 1.

    • Fine-tune while moving your hands and hair—a little goes a long way.

  4. Add your background

    • Add Image (still) or Media Source (video) and tick Loop for video.

    • Place it under the camera in the source list. Fit to screen and lock it.


Vertical scenes and duplicates


If you stream a vertical canvas as well, repeat the same steps in your vertical scene: add/resize the background, add your camera, re-crop as needed, and lock sources. You can reuse “Add Existing” for backgrounds/cameras you’ve already created.


Quick tips and troubleshooting


  • Jagged edges/hair halos: increase Smoothness slightly; adjust Similarity carefully; improve lighting.

  • Inconsistent cutout: avoid backlighting and brighten the subject.

  • Video background audio: mute the Media Source.

  • Black or missing background: ensure it’s under the camera and Loop is enabled for short clips.

  • Performance: 4K cameras and AI removal need GPU headroom. If frames drop, try 1080p.

  • “Camera in use” errors: close any other app using the same device, then re-add it.


Where to get backgrounds and overlays


You can commission custom scenes, overlays, and animated loops on Fiverr: https://geni.us/harryfiverr


Gear I used in this tutorial


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